Suu Kyi Assures China of Solution to Myitsone Dam

Aung San Suu Kyi tells China’s premier that her government is willing to look for a resolution on the stalled dam that suits both countries.

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By Reuters 19 August 2016

BEIJING, China—Aung San Suu Kyi told China’s premier on Thursday that her new government is willing to look for a resolution that suits both countries to a suspended Chinese-funded hydropower project in northern Burma, a senior Chinese diplomat said.

Finding a solution to the US$3.6 billion Myitsone dam project is important for Suu Kyi who needs China’s cooperation in talks with Burma’s ethnic minority armed groups operating along northern borders with China.

Former Burma President Thein Sein angered China in 2011 when he suspended work on the hydropower dam, in the Irrawaddy river basin, after it drew widespread environmental protests.

About 90 percent of the dam’s power would have gone to China. At the time, Suu Kyi also called for the project’s suspension.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told reporters after a meeting in Beijing between Suu Kyi and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang that Li had said China hopes Burma can come up with an appropriate resolution.

“Aung San Suu Kyi said that the Burmese government has already set up an investigation committee to look for an appropriate resolution to the Myitsone dam issue,” Liu said.

“She also said that she is willing to look for a resolution that suits both sides’ interests via both sides’ energy administrations’ cooperation.”

China has been pushing for work to restart on the dam, which under the original plans would have sent 90 percent of its power to China.

A Burmese government commission reviewing the project—as well as other proposed hydropower dams, including several on the Salween River—is expected to report by Nov. 11.

Suu Kyi did not mention the dam in remarks to Li made in front of journalists, but said she hoped her visit would “further consolidate and develop” relations.

The two countries also signed a deal to build a strategic bridge near their border.

A Burmese foreign ministry official said China had also agreed to build two hospitals in Burma’s two largest cities, Rangoon and Mandalay.

The bridge will be built in Kunlong, 32 kilometers (20 miles) from the border in northeastern Burma and near the Kokang region where an ethnic Chinese rebel group fought Burma’s military last year.

Liu said Premier Li reaffirmed China’s support for efforts to bring peace to northern Burma.

Suu Kyi, who is barred from the presidency by a junta-drafted constitution but holds several government posts including that of foreign minister, will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday.

The visit is Suu Kyi’s first major diplomatic foray as de facto leader, after a new government took power in April following her National League for Democracy’s sweeping election victory in November.